El Choyin
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
If you talk with the locals they will tell you to go to Scratch River or the Free hot springs. This is perfect if you are travelling on a shoestring budget as it is FREE! To get there go to the yellow gate next to Tabacon Springs. You can park on the road shoulder and you will definitely see it. Walk down the path behind the gate and in a very short walk you will arrive at a bubbling hot creek. You can go 24 hrs a day but keep your items in your site. Leave your valuables at the hotel and just bring a towel and prepare to relax.
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience El Choyin and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,134 reviews
Excellent
747
Very good
275
Average
83
Poor
13
Terrible
16

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PanicDawg
Lexington, KY65 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Couples
Great alternative to the pricey hot spring resort prices! Lots of locals in the river which made it more appealing to us. It was fun watching all the kids slide down under the bridge. It was free other than paying the tico a few bucks to watch our vehicle. Wasn’t sure if this was legit, but I figured putting the rental car at risk if I didn’t pay wasn’t worth the $4-$5 we paid him.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

yyesiamtrish2
Victoria, Canada1,572 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
We went at night with a group of 14 and a local’s help. I have to say, it’s one of the most magical experiences I’ve had, but not sure we could ever recreate it without a local’s help. That night, the parking was crazy, but this was all arranged for us. We all had our bathing suits and water shoes on (you MUST wear these for comfort) and a big cooler of beer. To reach it, it’s down a steep hill, there is a rope to help guide you down, but this is not a lit path, so a headlamp was super helpful. As you descend down this short hill, you can see all the pools and all lit by candlelight. Amazing. Somehow our local guide had secured a pool area for our group too, and had somehow raced ahead to light a circle of candles around this pool too, and this is what we saw, as we made our way down the hill. Beautiful. It’s still very dark down there, and can be unsafe if you aren’t wearing shoes and have your own light source. It’s all rock as you make your way through the river to your spot. We could see circles of candles down the river as far as you could see, and we would see processions of people still coming down the hill with their candles already lit. Sitting there in the dark in warm water, sipping a beer, surrounded by candles. Pure magic.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ken C
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020
This was an amazing experience for sure. All the prior reviews are accurate.
I need to add... be careful. Like a fool I lost my wedding ring which I think it was pulled off my finger in the strong current. It has never fallen off my finger and was a tight fit necessitating soap and water usually to get it on and off. Leave Your Jewelry At Your Residence or hide it in the car. Those guys on the road are making sure no one breaks in. Don’t be a putz like me! There are spots where it is calm and spots where the current is VERY strong. Possibly due to last night’s rain. I took off a star cuz my experience suffered from the loss. Purely subjective.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ghinta
Naples, Italy591 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Yes, twenty days of travel, this is really the only activity carried out in Costa Rica at no cost! (Of course, excluding the illegal parking attendant with whom you will have to deal)
We stayed in the low season and early in the morning (just after 9). We found few people and enjoyed the warm volcanic waters! It was a great experience, obviously take into account that we will have to get dirty with mud and that there is a mini splash to do to lower ourselves into the stream. But if you are energetic and of good will, yes it can be done!!
Google
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gerhard67
24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Easy access after parking the car on the side of the road (current "parking fee" of the type "official inofficial": 2000 colones ). We walked up a little and found some nice pools and places where we spent a couple of hours. Pleasantly warm and lots of water coming down! Clean.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sb50
Exmouth, UK358 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Don’t be put off by the cars parked at the side of the road or the self appointed “car park attendants.” Park up and pay then 2000 and then walk under the road. Best to wear some form of waterproof shoes or trainers that you don’t mind getting wet. You have to walk along the river bed under the road for a short distance and it is rocky. You then pick your own spot and lie back and relax in the hot water with trees all around. It is a wonderful way to spend a few hours. There are no toilets or changing facilities. One of the best things that we did in Costa Rica and the cheapest.
Written April 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joanna M
Kedzierzyn Kozle, Poland23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We spent two hours in the warm rivering splasing, chatting and making friends with some other travellers. The wayer was clean and pleasantly warm. The bank was a little muddy since it was raining but it wasn't a problem for us. We came back there the next evening to take part in sort of a party with candles and regional drinks. What fun!
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jacinda B
45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
We loved relaxing at this free hot spring! The water was a perfect temperature and we were able to find a private spot to enjoy each other's company.

The only negative was the parking experience, which cost us 5,000 colones. Having read the other reviews, it seems like they vary the price and we probably overpaid. Other than that, it was an unforgettable experience!
Written December 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

_Wheres_Baldo
Copenhagen, Denmark108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
The Rio Chollin is legit! We've driven there twice and just soaked in the warm water as it pours over us. We parked on the side of the road and gave a few thousand colones to park. It's not a bad deal, especially considering the steep day pass prices for Tabacon. We've always gone to the bottom of the trail and walked right and the water was comfortable I've since read that the water is warmer if you turn left and walk up the stream a bit.

If you drive, do not leave anything visible in your car or it won't likely be there when you get back. We pack a backpack and carry everything with us. Wear water shoes (or shoes you don't mind getting wet) and you can find a place to stash your bag close to where you soak and you can keep an eye on it.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thomas G
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,877 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
Chollin is located just after Tabacon (if you come from La Fortuna). We went very early (8 am we were there) and made the right decision by doing that. Not only don't you have to pay the (small) parking fee, but ,mostly we were totally alone! Later a few people came in, but not closely to the same numbers as in the evening. The river is very chill and a perfect temperature. There are beautiful trees around! This was a great stop for 1-1.5 hours.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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El Choyin - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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